India through to semifinals, but do Australia still have a chance? | Cricket News
India on Monday assured themselves a semifinal spot after they defeated Australia 24 runs, putting them on the brink of elimination. The 2021 champions will now have to keep a keen eye on the match between Afghanan and Bangladesh on Tuesday morning, hoping for a win for the Bangla Tigers.
Defending 205, India got off to an ideal start after Arshdeep Singh sent back David Warner in the very first over. But the Men in Blue’s serial tormentor Travis Head built up a good partnership with captain Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell to steady the Aussies.
Kuldeep would snare both Marsh and Maxwell while Hardik Pandya snapped up Marcus Stoinis cheaply as Head still remained unbeaten. He would ultimately fall for 76 as Australia suffered a collapse with Tim David and Matthew Wade both getting dismissed in quick fashion.
India will now take on England in the semifinal match on June 27 in Guyana.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma combined brute force with elegance in his 92 off 41 balls as India amassed 205 for five against Australia on a belter in their final Super Eights fixture of the T20 World Cup.
How can Australia qualify?
Come on, Bangladesh!’ Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said with a cheeky smile at the post-match presentation ceremony after his side lost against India. Couple of matches back, they were unbeaten and flying high but defeats against Afghanan and India have put Australia on the brink of going back home before the semifinals.
After Australia’s 24-run defeat, India officially sealed their place in the semifinals as toppers of Group 1. Rohit Sharma and Co will now take on England in Guyana in the 2nd semifinal. Who will face South Africa though?
The equation for Afghanan is simple. Defeat Bangladesh, they create hory and reach the semifinals. Even a washout without a result is enough for Rashid Khan’s men.
Australia will be rooting for Bangladesh, but not a big margin because the Tigers too are still alive. According to ESPNCricinfo, if Bangladesh win more than 62 runs after scoring 150, then they can overtake the Aussies. Any smaller margin of Bangladesh win, then Australia sneak through.
(With Agency Inputs)
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